New Migration Bill ‘Fundamental to the Integrity of Our System’: Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs has defended the Albanese government’s new migration bill that would force refugees to co-operate in returning to their home countries or face jail. A Senate committee hearing on April 15 forced by the coalition, Greens and cross bench in March delayed the government’s attempt to push through the legislation. The proposed amendments would impose a minimum one-year minimum prison term and up to five years behind bars for people who refuse to co-operate with the government over their deportation. It would also give the Home Affairs minister unilateral power to ban visa classes for relatives of asylum seekers from blacklisted countries that do not accept the deportees....